Napier, still nursing a bruised left shoulder, also had six assists and pulled down five rebounds for the Huskies (13-5, 3-3 Big East). Ryan Boatright added 15 points and DeAndre Daniels added 13 for UConn.

Connecticut stretched the lead to eight, despite having Boatright on the bench for all but 8 minutes of the half with two fouls.

Napier had nine first-half points for UConn and Daniels added seven as the Huskies went into the break leading 27-20.

Napier hasn't missed any time, but his effectiveness had been limited by a bruised left shoulder suffered early in the Huskies' Jan. 14 loss to Louisville. He seemed to be back to full strength in this one, hitting four of his first six shots and grabbing five first-half rebounds.

Boatright and Napier came into the game averaging 32.6 points as a combo. Rutgers' backcourt of Myles Mack and Eli Carter had combined for 28.8.

Eli Carter, who came in averaging more than 16 points a game, scored most of his points late. He hit just one shot in the first half and was 5 of 14 from the floor. He was just 1 for 14 in Rutgers' 72-60 home loss to St. John's.

Connecticut had lost back-to-back game to Louisville at home and at Pittsburgh a week ago. Rutgers was coming off losses at Notre Dame and to St. John's at home on Wednesday.